A new dispute is threatening to deepen tensions within the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), with allegations that the party replaced its declared candidate for Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1 on the INEC portal.
The controversy centres on the party’s May 29, 2026 direct primary, where Prince Abele Wobo was announced as the winner with 292 votes.
But according to the Social Accountability Forum, the name subsequently uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal was that of the constituency’s incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Manuchim Umezurike.
Wobo Declared Winner at Primary
The primary was conducted by the NDC National Election Committee under the leadership of Dr Osusu Osusu.
In a statement signed by Social Accountability Forum Coordinator Elechi Kingsley and Secretary Godspower Nyebuchi, the group maintained that Wobo emerged through the party’s established electoral process and was publicly declared the winner.
The forum argued that the primary result should determine who represents the party in the constituency.
Its central complaint is straightforward: the person declared winner at the primary, it alleges, is not the person now listed on the INEC portal.
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Allegation Against Incumbent Lawmaker
The group further alleged that Umezurike did not participate in the primary.
It claimed that the lawmaker was still affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) when the NDC conducted its nomination exercise.
These claims have not, in the material provided, been independently verified.
The forum also alleged that pressure was brought to bear on Osusu to change the primary result. According to the group, the electoral committee chairman declined to alter the outcome and subsequently faced attempts to undermine the credibility of the exercise.
Party Leadership Under Pressure
The Social Accountability Forum warned that substituting a candidate after a primary could have consequences beyond the immediate dispute.
At stake, it argued, is the credibility of the NDC’s internal nomination process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group called on the party leadership to investigate the alleged discrepancy and ensure that Wobo’s name is restored to the INEC portal if the primary result is upheld.
Dispute Moves to Court
The controversy has now reportedly entered the legal arena.
Umezurike is said to have been served court documents through substituted service, although the available account does not provide details of the case, the specific reliefs being sought or the court handling the matter.
Until the relevant court or electoral authorities determine the dispute, the competing claims remain allegations.
The immediate question is whether the NDC will resolve the candidate dispute internally—or leave the courts to determine who has the right to fly the party’s flag in Port Harcourt Constituency 1.